Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.

Banks, Clerks, Coffee

I’ve always tried to do business with locals, Olympic Savings stood a loan for tuition at Whitworth College, Rainier had my money first in Seattle, then Seattle First, Washington Mutual Savings brought my home and mortgage into being.

Today, a credit union that’s changed name since my original deposit holds my spendable income. Like so many others I was caught sleeping by the crash, and take steps to stem the bleeding.

What happens to the folks across the counter?

In the high rise where I work, there is a local bank in the lobby, staffed by nice people who want to make a go. They believe in the values of the company and each other. I wish I had enough dough to open another bank account, maybe keep them in trade.

But I don’t.

A couple of days ago, they placed a card table outside the office doors, offered coffee, water, pastries and banana bread.

The building is 20 stories of modern commerce, software, publishing, real estate, a few attorneys thrown in for good or bad measure, with room to let.

A pal told me, “Café Ladro has an espresso cart downstairs!”

I considered the baristas across the street – casual flirtations who don’t flirt back.

I rode down the elevator.

The bank manager told me, “We’re trying to get customers from the building.”

He poured me a cup of Joe. “Do you need room?”

I felt sad accepting his grace.

Local business needs business.

On Beacon Hill, our Red Apple grocery is still up. Across the Great Muddy, in the Newport Hills, another Red Apple closed. Nearby is the South China, the Ko brothers’ restaurant relocated from Beacon Hill after Sound Transit dug them out for a deep tunnel station on a route voters didn’t approve.

Next day, I needed change for a Jackson. I stepped into the bank at the bottom of the skyscraper. Three employees waited patiently, hoping to believe they’d make pay for themselves and their families.

I was the only customer. I joked, “Everyone’s most popular bill.”

Then, across the great muddy, on Queen Anne Hill, a Bank of America was being robbed. Shoplifting for food has gone up in Seattle, incidental crime on cars where there’s something to gain.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.